Alumni Speech

              Alumni Speech

I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be here with you all this morning, in a place that was foundational to who I was as a student over a decade ago, as well as the person and the nurse I am today (and I’m not just saying that because it’s flattering to still be considered young). To be back here this morning, having lived what feels like a lot of life in those years in between, is incredibly humbling. I am truly grateful to you all, to Marquette, and specifically the College of Nursing for his honor. 

As touched and appreciative of this award as I am, I have to confess that it there is something deeply uncomfortable about being celebrated for your role in one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to live through. I suspect that this feeling is not unique to me, and perhaps is something many of you in this room have grappled with the last couple of years. Nursing has always had an important role to play at the forefront of a crisis, but I would argue that never has there been a time and place where, globally, nurses were needed to serve in such specific ways at such a specific time as has been asked of us during the COVID pandemic. 

As a student at Marquette, I learned the importance of cura personalis, care for the whole person. This tenet has always been central to the profession of nursing, and one of the things I love most about my job in public health is that I get to be a nurse who cares for the whole community. In New York, that community just happens to be 8.5 million people. When that community was brought to its knees in spring of 2020, it was nurses who brought it back to life. I am always proud to be a nurse, but those moments of paralyzing unknowns, those nights of unrelenting sirens, followed but months of unbearable silences, forged in me a renewed sense of what it means to carry those credentials with pride.

To you all, who woke up each morning over the last two and a half years and put on your scrubs, or logged into Zoom, or like me, worked with your local government to develop an infrastructure for response and recovery, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. I am also profoundly grateful to have this opportunity to thank my family, who is here with me today, for answering the phone at 3 AM as I commuted home on empty streets, who let me cry as friends got sick co-workers and passed away, and who even drove 1000 miles to pick me up and take me home at a time I was tired in my bones. Thank you for your love, support and for always leading by example.

It was at Marquette that I first heard a prayer by Fr. Pedro Arrupe that says, “Grant me the ability to see things now with new eyes.” Marquette provided me with a lens through which to view the world around me and my place in it. While I do not and cannot see the world around me the way I did as an idealistic 22-year-old, Marquette gave me the tools I needed to take all that I’ve seen, and felt, and learned during these challenging times and let that inform my vision moving forward. I believe deeply that it is our responsibility as nurses to carry these lessons with us as we continue to care for the whole person, and for whole communities. Nurses were here before COVID started and are still standing long after the 7 PM clapping has ended. It is a true privilege to be one of you. Thank you!

Christmas 2021

Greeting and Merry Christmas from the Blaney family!

2021 was very much the same as 2020.  We spent a good portion of the year trying to be Covid aware.

We spent a lot of time outside and enjoyed dining al fresco.  As cautious as we all were, Cathy and Erin still had breakthrough infections.  Both recovered and both were grateful they had received the vaccine. 

 

Erin continues to work as a social worker at Washington Middle School in Green Bay.  Kathleen continues to work for the New York City Health Department. 

 

Because of Covid we didn’t do much traveling this year.  Cathy enjoyed a women’s weekend in Rhinelander while Ken enjoyed a gathering of high school friends in Eagle River.  

 

 In Fall, Cathy and I volunteered for two weeks at Fort McCoy in Tomah, WI.  Fort McCoy is a military base in western Wisconsin and is the temporary  home for 13,000 Afghans.  We volunteered to assist with the younger children who live on the base.  There are roughly 6500 children living there.  We did blog about our experience.  If you’re interested please feel free to read our blog at www.BlaneyTravelLog.Blogspot.com.   Our time there was something we will remember for a lifetime.  We made a return trip to the base for a three day stay in early December.   

Later in December, Ken, Cathy and Erin went to visit Kathleen and take in the sites of New York at Christmas time.  If you ever have the opportunity, I hope you take it.  Cathy and I went to “To Kill a Mockingbird” on Broadway while the girls went to the “Nutcracker” at Lincoln Center and we all went to the “Rockettes Christmas Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall.  We also saw the Rockefeller Center Tree, went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Mass and took a carriage ride through Central Park.  

 

We hope your holiday season is a happy and healthy one!  May God Bless us, everyone!

 

Ken and Cathy

 

Christmas 2020

 

Merry Christmas 2020

I’ve said it in the past and I’ll say it again this year, we enjoy Christmas letters.  We like writing them and we like receiving them.  To us they are a way to share family news and document the year for ourselves.  We will admit that like most people, we try to put a positive spin the on the events of the year.  Putting a positive spin on 2020 might take a little more imagination than we can muster but let’s give it a shot, shall we?

In January, Cathy and I made a trip to The Villages, Florida but we left the camper at home.  Winter in the Villages means spending time with my brother, Bill and cousins Bill and Karen Early.  A new and welcome addition to the Villages snowbird community was Cathy’s cousin, Debbie.  Days and evenings were spent swimming, playing pickle ball, walking, biking, a little golf, making some nice meals, visits with family and friends and this year we even took a bueno Spanish class.  However, when the pandemic hit at the end of March we headed home. 

Much of the spring and summer were spent trying to be good caregivers to our friend, Joan Klister.  Joan was a resident of a locked down assisted living facility.  We visited her as much as we were allowed until her death, August 19^th.  The positive spin here was witnessing the number of friends and family who loved Joan and reached out to her.  Their good intentions truly touched our hearts.

Cathy and I are exceptionally grateful to be retired during this time of Covid.  We are relatively isolated, spending as much time as we can at our cottage.  The Covid pandemic, especially the way it ravaged NYC in its early days has had a tremendous impact on Kathleen’s life.  However she earned a promotion to Director of Disease Control, Emergency Preparedness and received recognition from her congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  Erin takes great pains to navigate safety and care during the pandemic as a social worker for an under served school.  While virtual school is a poor substitute for in-person attendance, in Brown County it is a necessity. The positive spin here is that like many people we are adapting to a quieter and simpler life. 

Best wishes to you during this Christmas season!  May 2021 bring us all health and happiness!

                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                     The Blaneys

Christmas 2019

                      Christmas 2019

Greetings and Happy Holidays from the Blaneys,

 

2019 was a good year for us and we hope it was for you as well.  The year began with Cathy and I pulling our pop-up camper down to Florida.  We spent two weeks at Fort DeSoto and then moved north to The Villages.  We enjoyed time with our host/landlords Bill and Karen Early. my brother, Bill and had a chance to visit with some other relatives and friends.

In August, the four of us volunteered at a southern border respite center in McAllen, Texas.  Please feel free to read about out trip at www.BlaneyTravelLog.blogspot.com.

In September Erin became a homeowner!  She is

very happy in her three bedroom home.  It has a large deck just outside the kitchen and an extra living room with a fireplace on the lower level.  She continues her career as social worker with the Green Area Public Schools.

(Kathleen is the 3rd person from the left)

Kathleen spent the majority of the last year working on the measles outbreak in New York City, where she was stationed at an outpatient clinic in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. In December, she was awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the Commissioner. She was also able to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony at a new clinic in the community. (Kathleen is the 2nd person from the right).

Other highlights of the year included a trip to NYC to visit Kathleen and many happy times visiting friends and relatives both in Green Bay and the cottage. 

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ken, Cathy, Kathleen and Erin

Christmas 2018

Merry Christmas, 

2018 was a wonderful year for us and we hope it was for you as well.

Flagler Beach 2018

Early in the year, Cathy and I set out to cross off an item on our bucket list.  We hooked up our small, little used pop-up trailer, left Green Bay where the temp was -9 degrees and headed to sunny Florida.  With the guidance of some Early cousins who did this type of traveling for years, we visited some beautiful sites and stayed at some remarkable parks.  Full disclosure: we did abandon our campsite when the temperature dipped into the 20s.  However, as a testament to just how much we enjoyed it, we have plans to do it again this winter.

St. Patrick's Day 2018

We completed our 3 month adventure with a three week stay in The Villages.  Bill and Karen Early graciously allowed us to stay in the home they were readying to sell.  We truly enjoyed our time in Florida as it afforded us time away from the harsh Wisconsin winter and allowed us a chance to visit with our cousins, my brother Bill, and friends.  Kathleen and Erin were able to fly down and join us for St. Patrick's Day.

We returned just in time for a 22 inch snow fall. Winter had the last laugh!

Kathleen, Cathy and Erin in NYC

In early summer, Cathy and Erin joined Kathleen in New York and had a chance to drive up to the beach at Montauk.  

This summer was the first time since retirement that we could spend major portions of our time in Fish Creek.  We truly enjoyed our time up there, again with family, cousins and friends.  

Bill Ken and John in Times Square

In fall, my brothers, Bill and John, joined me for  5 nights with Kathleen in NYC in her one bedroom apartment!  She was a wonderful host and we were all impressed with all the city had to offer.  

Seventeen years ago we went to Ireland. Upon our return we said we'd like go again but for a longer time, after retirement, so this year we did.  In November, Cathy and I flew into Dublin, went North (Belfast and Giants Causeway), West (Ballintubber and Killarney, South (Kinsale) and East (Dublin).  Kathleen and Erin joined us for the week of Thanksgiving.  Ireland is a beautiful country, rich in history. 

Merry Christmas from the Blaney Family!

Christmas 2017

    Merry Christmas from the Blaneys!

2017 was a year of highs and lows for our family.  After a long, deliberate process Blaney Funeral Home was sold to a non-Blaney.  My brother, Mike, my sister, Mary Jo, and I decided it was time and in June we retired.  We have great confidence in the new owners (a Green Bay Area family) and have just as much confidence in the entire staff which was retained.  It is difficult to step away from a 40 year career but I look forward to spending more time with family and friends.  

The summer began with lots of time at the cottage with golfing, biking and kayaking on the agenda.  In June, Cathy's father had a wonderful party celebrating his 90th birthday.  It was great for him to be able to visit with his siblings, nieces & nephews, neighbors and friends.  He truly enjoyed the party.  This time spent celebrating his life and those he loved was especially precious as he passed away later that summer after multiple bouts of pneumonia.  He was a wonderful man who loved his family and they loved him.  You can read Kathleen's eulogy just below this blog post.

In early fall, Cathy and I decided to take our camper out of mothballs (figuratively, not literally).  We started thinking small as to where we should go, but by our October 1^st departure date, we had decided to check off one of Cathy's bucket list items - going to Vermont to see the fall colors.  We also spent time in Philadelphia, the Poconos, Gettysburg and Hershey, PA.  Being that far east, Kathleen was able to join us over two weekends.  The colors were beautiful and it was great seeing Kathleen!  Unfortunately, Erin’s school schedule made it impossible for her to join us. 

As I write this Cathy and I are planning a prolonged camping trip to Florida with a stop in The Villages to visit Bill Blaney who will be staying at Bill and Karen Early’s place. We hope that Kathleen and Erin can join us.  Kathleen is still working for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Erin is in her third year of working as a Social Worker at Washington Middle School in Green Bay.  They got together this summer and traveled to Ireland, Wales and England.  

That’s it for Blaney news for 2017.  If you have time, we’d love to hear from you.

                                                                                    Merry Christmas!

                                                                                    Ken and Cathy

Eugene R. Kolb

                                                        Eugene R. Kolb
                      June 14, 1927 - August 27, 2017

Gene's funeral was held on September 1st, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church.  His entire family participated in his Mass.  Kathleen delivered a eulogy that described her grandfather's positivity.  

A few years ago, Grandpa and I were neighbors in East De Pere. Because we lived only a few blocks away from one another, we often found ourselves in the car together. Every time we crossed over the De Pere Bridge, my grandpa would comment on how beautiful the view was. It didn’t make a difference what season it was, what the weather was like or even if there was construction. Without fail, he would look out the window and say something along the lines of “Beautiful sunset tonight, huh?” or “Look at those trees!” or “The college sure is something under that snow.” My personal favorite was, and I quote, “You know, I’ve traveled all over the world, Kathleen, and the view from this bridge is the most beautiful of them all.” I’m not kidding. It got to the point where I began kind of egging him on because I got a kick out of the sincerity of the sentiment—it was like a new thought every time. We had been sharing this routine for about two years when my mom called me one night and said, “I was driving Grandpa home tonight and do you know what he told me? He said, “You know, Kathleen sure loves the view from this bridge.’”

My grandpa always had a way of seeing things as better than they really were. He referred to his childhood summers as a glorified day laborer as “Cherry Camp.” He reminisced about his military days the way one tells tales about travels with old friends. He once sat at a grade school band concert of mine and Erin’s, in a gymnasium of all places, and told my dad that if he closed his eyes he could hear the Wisconsin marching band. Every family dinner, every campfire, every O’Doul’s and every sunset over the De Pere Bridge was the best he had ever experienced. When my mom was planning of my grandpa’s 90th birthday party earlier this summer, I reminded her that even if only a handful of people showed up or we forgot the cake or there wasn’t enough food, Grandpa would remember it as the best birthday party anyone had ever had!

What a gift, to see things as better than they truly are! In a world that is imperfect, flawed, and at times downright ugly, my grandpa chose to see the beauty. In a time that values cynicism and indifference over passion, Grandpa unabashedly sought out the good. And he loved it all. He loved us all. In loving the world the way he did, he made it more beautiful, the same way he made the view from that bridge more beautiful, the same way he made us more beautiful. We would often facetime, and every single time we chatted, even at the end when my face was splotchy and eyes bloodshot from crying, he would look me straight in the eye and tell me that I looked beautiful. Grandpa’s love made each and every one of us beautiful and I have no doubt that if he was standing here right now, he would look out at this crowd and say that this is the most beautiful gang he had ever seen.

Grandpa embraced dying the same way he embraced living—with eternal optimism and utmost faith in his future. I find great solace in knowing that now Grandpa is in a place that is not only as beautiful, but even more beautiful, than even he could have imagined. And that is saying something.